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Addison Pratt initiated his missionary endeavors in Tahiti in 1844, marking an earlier start compared to other Polynesian islands, with subsequent missions launched in Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Fiji, and eventually incorporating New Caledonia into the Tahiti Papeete mission by 1968. Overcoming language barriers was a significant challenge; initially, Pratt relied on a local translator and taught in English, but he soon achieved fluency in Tahitian by immersing himself in the culture and interacting closely with native speakers. His dedication led to the baptism of many individuals, including his translator and sailors, demonstrating his commitment to spreading the gospel in the local language. Pratt’s story also touches on the complexities of navigating the intertwined roles of government and church in French Polynesia. Despite facing pressure to assume political duties, he remained steadfast in his focus on missionary work, even expressing concerns to Brigham Young about being perceived more as a political leader than a church figure. Addison Pratt’s experience underscores the importance of cultural immersion for language learning and the significance of staying true to one’s mission amidst external challenges.

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Want know more about the music on this podcast? We are blessed to have M. Diego Gonzalez as a regular contributor of songs he has arranged, performed, and recorded especially for this podcast. My wife and I became acquainted with Diego when he was serving a as missionary in the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission. We were so impressed with his talent, we asked if he would compose and perform songs for Filled With His Love. He thankfully agreed. Hope you enjoy his work!

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Want a good introduction to my book? Morgan Jones Pearson interviewed me on the All-In Podcast, and it was one of the top 10 episodes of 2022. Here’s the link:

https://www.ldsliving.com/2022-in-review-top-10-all-in-podcast-episod...